FIA chief Todt excited to see youth involvement

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Federation Internationale de’l Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt today assured that the world motorsport governing body will help Nepal in every possible way.

Todt, who arrived here for his two-day visit to Nepal today, said that he was excited to see the participation of youth in the sports. Todt is accompanied by FIA Travel Coordinator Jean Claude Henri.

“I am pleased to see an active participation of youths in this discipline. It indicates of a bright future of motorsports in this country. FIA will support Nepal in various ways,” said Todt during a press conference on Saturday.

It was the first time the FIA president has visited Nepal. Nepal Automobile Sports Association (NASA) has invited Todt after they got the affiliation from FIA following it’s New Delhi general convention in December 15 last year.

“It is a great privilege for me to come to the young FIA member nation, the determination and motivation of youths have shown bright future of motorsports in Nepal,” said Todt adding he was looking forward for a strong relationship with the government and NASA.

He further added his visit would proved to be a milestone in the development of road race in Nepal. “Since, Nepal have potential to develop sports tourism through road race, NASA should move a step forward in the development of infrastructure,” added the French.

Todt also launched the NASA Team, a sister wing of NASA established to raise public awareness for road safety, during the programme. NASA team coordinator Ekata Bhandari outlined the future plans and programmes of the association.

Meanwhile, NASA general secretary Govinda Bhattarai said they would add some more programmes in their annual calendar from this year.

“We have been conducting three programmes — Sincere Veterans Rally, Women Bikers Rally and Motorbike Rally — yearly since our establishment four years ago, we are planning to organise Himalayan Race, Cross Country Race and compete in the India-Nepal Volkswagen Car Race,” said Bhattarai.

He further added they would be focused in the manpower and physical infrastructure development. Todt will meet Physical Planning, Works and Transport Minister Hridayesh Tripathi, Secretary Tulsi Sitaula, Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sushil Ghimire, State Affair Committee Chairman Ram Nath Dhakal, National Sports Council vice-president Pitambar Timsina and member secretary Yubaraj Lama in his two-day visit.